248 SASSAFRAS. 



rootlets, deeply furrowed longitudinally, the transverse 

 section showing a brown, hard, non-mealy bark, and a 

 porous central wood portion. Taste, slightly acrid. 

 Odour, none. The orange-brown native Sarsaparilla 

 with a starchy rind is sometimes preferred. The so-called 

 "Red" Jamaica Sarsaparilla comes from Costa Rica. 



SASSAFRAS. Sassafras officinale, Nees and Eberm. 



N.O. Lauracea. 

 Syn. Sassafras variifolium, Kuntze. 



Parts used Bark of root, root. 



Action Stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic. Used with 

 success in eruptions of the skin, rheumatism, gout, &c. 

 A decoction is beneficial as a wash for the eyes in 

 ophthalmia, inflammation, &c. An infusion of i ounce 

 of crushed bark in a pint of boiling water is taken in 

 doses of a wineglassful, repeated frequently. Is gene- 

 rally given in combination with other remedies. 



Preparations Fluid extract : Dose, -1 drachm. 

 Oil : Dose, -5 drops. Mucilage U.S. P. : Dose, 4 

 drachms. 



A volatile Oil of Sassafras is official in U.S. P., being 

 distilled from the rootbark. 



Distinctive character The rootbark is of a bright, 

 rust-brown colour, in irregular pieces, soft and brittle. 

 The transverse fracture is short and corky, in definite 

 layers, and shows numerous oil cells. Taste, sweetish, 

 aromatic, slightly astringent. Odour, agreeably aro- 

 matic. 



The woody root is usually sold in the form of chips 

 of a brownish white tint, which show distinct concentric 

 rings marked off by two or three rows of porous vessels, 

 and slender medullary rays. The wood tastes distinctly 

 of sassafras, but that of the stem, which is often mixed 

 with it, does not, and is further indicated by the grey 

 surface of the bark. 



